Phil Campbell farmer rises to prominence as alternate delegate for Angus Association Convention
Keith Ergle of Phil Campbell has been elected as an alternate delegate to the 137th American Angus Association Convention of Delegates.
The convention is set to be held Nov. 9 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Ergle, a member of the American Angus Association with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., is one of 301 Angus breeders who have been elected by fellow members in their state to serve as representatives at the annual meeting. Representing the United States and Canada, the delegates will participate in the business meeting and elect new officers and five directors to the American Angus Association board.
In Franklin County, Ergle and his cousin Robbie Tidwell own and operate Premier Angus Genetics in Phil Campbell. The duo are third-generation – and their sons are fourth-generation – cattle farmers, so the heritage runs deep in their families. They began as cattle farmers at a young age, working with their fathers, Milton Ergle and David Tidwell, in the industry.
Ergle and his wife Elisha – who serves as photographer and web designer for the family business – have three children, son Miles and daughters Rylee and Kastyn.
This year’s event has been modified from the traditional Angus Convention format. With the current gathering restrictions created by COVID-19, modifications were necessary to balance the health of attendees and the need to conduct the business of the Association.
According to organizers, the annual meeting will provide a modified line up of high-quality education without compromising the safety and security of those in attendance. Socially-distanced educational sessions and an awards dinner and fundraiser will be hosted Sunday, along with industry updates from thought-leaders and association staff.
“The health and safety of Association members, guests and staff remains our top priority,” said Mark McCully, Association CEO. “While no technology can replace the value of an in-person gathering, we believe offering virtual attendance options this year is the responsible thing to do. We plan to offer a modified format, allowing for both an in-person annual meeting and a virtual educational experience for those who would like to join from home.”
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. For more information about Angus cattle, visit www.angus.org.
